My 94 year old mother has dementia. She is getting to a stage where she is becoming suspicious, angry, agitated and also has hallucinations which have been going on for the last two years. She is currently on 25 mg of zoloft and her dr seems to think that increasing the dose to 50 mg might be of help. She dreams of her deceased relatives and thinks they have visited her during the night. I would appreciate any comments as to whether increasing the dosage would help. Also, would anyone know how to protect the assets from a life insurance policy which has a cash-in value from Medicaid. This policy is solely for her burial costs, but I was told since it can be cashed in, it is considered an asset and would keep her from getting medicaid, should she have to go to a nursing home. She lives with me and my husband and has no other assets. Would appreciate any comments on this as well. Thank you.
If her doctor thinks more zoloft might help, I say try more zoloft. Are the hallucinations/delusions distressing to her?
Gkerg, what type of hallucinations? JG & I both have experience with family that has Lewy Body Dementia. Certain types of hallucinations are a hallmark of this type of dementia. The LBD drugs are kinds different from the Alz. ones. I'd do the up in Zoloft especially if you have confidence in how mom's care has been so far.
My mom is on Remeron for anxiety & Exelon for LBD. For her, getting them consistently at the same time is very important.
At 94 you don't have any breathing room for the Medicaid look back. As others have said if it has a cash-value, Medicaid will require it be cashed in and used to pay for her care. Do it now so you can do the "spend down" the way you need to rather than have to give it all to the NH.
“Spend down” – means get assets (excluding homestead & car) under the state’s Medicaid asset ceiling. They can buy funeral and burial policy, a small term life insurance (like 1K or so to take care of final expenses). These must be irrevocable with no cash value. Glasses, dental care (spotty on Medicaid), hearing aids, walkers. You could go to Target,etc.and buy all new clothes for her,
Just keep all the receipts - you may have to show that really you did buy her 3 pair of SAS* shoes and it cost $ 248.00. No $ gifted to others. Everything must be for their care or their property. You could buy her an inexpensive car - although this might red flag the application but they CAN own a car. The Medicaid look back is 5 years. The state can go thru 5 years of all bank records & also require to see receipts to any item that pique’s their interest. Medicaid is different for each state so go to your state's site to see the specifics.
The Medicaid application is cumbersome but not difficult if you are organized and haven't commingled any of their money and they don't own anything.Good luck.
* I swear ever gal in my mom's old IL had at least 5 pairs of these shoes.
I wonder what kind of dementia gkerg's mother has. That might make some difference in what drugs are typically most effective. But even then, Your Mileage May Vary. I say if the dr thinks more zoloft may help, why not try it?
See All Answers